Cam confident but knows Witches must do better

Cameron Heeps is confident Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches can win the League Cup tomorrow at Newcastle – but not if they ride like they did against Workington on Thursday night.

The Witches will have to put behind them the debacle of a showing at Foxhall against the Comets, a showing that leaves their play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

They travel to Workington tonight looking for a result which is an absolute must if they are to make progress in the play-off competition.

And then tomorrow they get a real chance to lift some silverware when they go to Newcastle with a 12-point lead to defend.

“Winning the cup at Newcastle is something we can really do,” Heeps said.

“Although if we ride like we did against Workington we won’t win anything.

“We need a decent performance and result at Workington on Saturday and then we will go to Newcastle confident on Sunday.”

Heeps has been a shining star in a good season for the Witches and him personally.

Devoid of doubling-up meetings and too many guest bookings, Heeps has looked fresh throughout his year at Foxhall – and it has showed as he continues to get better as the season wears on.

He must be favourite for Witches rider of the season and all Suffolk fans will hoping desperately he will be back in 2014.

“Everyone at Ipswich is good to me, especially Chris (Louis),” Heeps said.

“The club have done everything they said and more to be honest. I won’t find myself treated better anywhere else.

“I’ve worked harder on my bikes this year and the more I’ve put in, the more I’ve got out of it.”

Heeps and the Witches need to put Thursday night behind them and head to Workington today looking to right the wrongs of that result.

It is still in their own hands, but if they fail to pick up at at least a point, their play-off hopes are as good as over. Tomorrow at Newcastle the League Cup trophy is up for grabs and this is probably the Witches’ best hope of silverware this season, with the Diamonds suffering with the loss of broken leg victim Stuart Robson.

A 12-point lead is a substantial one for Ipswich, especially with tactical rides allowed. However the Witches will have to be in a far more positive frame of mind this weekend than they were on Thursday – or their season will come to a shuddering halt. Kent’s Benji Compton replaces the injured Adam Ellis at No.6 in the Witches team.

Weekend teams

Workington: R Lawson, R Harrison, K Howarth, R/R, R Bach, A Morris, C Mills.

Newcastle: R Worrall, R/R, A Tully, L Lindgren, A Rosen, C Schramm, L Kerr.

Ipswich, both meetings: B Barker, C Heeps, R Tungate, L Lanham, M Risager, B Compton, R Hawkins.

Meanwhile it’s play-off time for the defending National League Champions Mildenhall tomorrow afternoon, as they continue their defence of the League Championship. King’s Lynn Young Stars are the opponents for a semi-final, first leg clash.

However, Stars top man Robert Lambert is unavailable, while fellow heat leader Lewis Kerr is with his Premier League side Newcastle.

Mildenhall have injury problems themselves, with Jon Armstrong out after his crash last weekend, and Dannny Phillips unavailable. Connor Mountain gets another opportunity.

Mildenhall: S Nielsen, R/R, J Bates, A Baseby, D Halsey, C Mountain, L. Rumsey.